U.S. patent number 9,139,730 [Application Number 13/258,508] was granted by the patent office on 2015-09-22 for (co)polycarbonates with improved optical properties.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Bayer MaterialScience AG. The grantee listed for this patent is Helmut Werner Heuer, Rolf Wehrmann. Invention is credited to Helmut Werner Heuer, Rolf Wehrmann.
United States Patent |
9,139,730 |
Wehrmann , et al. |
September 22, 2015 |
(Co)polycarbonates with improved optical properties
Abstract
The invention relates to (co)polycarbonate compositions and
molding compositions which feature improved optical properties,
good flowability, and high heat resistance.
Inventors: |
Wehrmann; Rolf (Krefeld,
DE), Heuer; Helmut Werner (Leverkusen,
DE) |
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Wehrmann; Rolf
Heuer; Helmut Werner |
Krefeld
Leverkusen |
N/A
N/A |
DE
DE |
|
|
Assignee: |
Bayer MaterialScience AG
(DE)
|
Family
ID: |
42169302 |
Appl.
No.: |
13/258,508 |
Filed: |
March 18, 2010 |
PCT
Filed: |
March 18, 2010 |
PCT No.: |
PCT/EP2010/001714 |
371(c)(1),(2),(4) Date: |
September 22, 2011 |
PCT
Pub. No.: |
WO2010/108626 |
PCT
Pub. Date: |
September 30, 2010 |
Prior Publication Data
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|
|
|
Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
|
US 20120022204 A1 |
Jan 26, 2012 |
|
Foreign Application Priority Data
|
|
|
|
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Mar 26, 2009 [DE] |
|
|
10 2009 015 040 |
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
C08L
69/00 (20130101); C08L 69/00 (20130101); C08L
2666/04 (20130101); C08L 33/08 (20130101); C08L
33/24 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
C08L
69/00 (20060101); C08L 33/24 (20060101); C08L
33/08 (20060101) |
Field of
Search: |
;524/508
;525/147,148 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
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1031507 |
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Jun 1958 |
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DE |
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1 137 167 |
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Sep 1962 |
|
DE |
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1 495 626 |
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Jun 1971 |
|
DE |
|
1785137 |
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Jan 1972 |
|
DE |
|
2 232 877 |
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Jan 1974 |
|
DE |
|
2 703 376 |
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Aug 1977 |
|
DE |
|
2714544 |
|
Oct 1977 |
|
DE |
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2 701 173 |
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Jul 1978 |
|
DE |
|
3 000 610 |
|
Jul 1980 |
|
DE |
|
3832396 |
|
Feb 1990 |
|
DE |
|
0089801 |
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Sep 1983 |
|
EP |
|
0363608 |
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Apr 1990 |
|
EP |
|
0 640 655 |
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Mar 1995 |
|
EP |
|
WO 2008/155149 |
|
Dec 2008 |
|
EP |
|
905072 |
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Sep 1962 |
|
GB |
|
1552558 |
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Sep 1979 |
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GB |
|
1592724 |
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Jul 1981 |
|
GB |
|
WO-99/55772 |
|
Nov 1999 |
|
WO |
|
WO 2007/140100 |
|
Dec 2007 |
|
WO |
|
WO-2007/140100 |
|
Dec 2007 |
|
WO |
|
Primary Examiner: Heincer; Liam J
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A composition comprising A) from 99.98 to 99.5 parts by weight
(based on the entirety of components A+B) of a
high-molecular-weight, thermoplastic, aromatic (co)polycarbonate
with molar mass M (weight average) of at least 10 000 gmol.sup.-1
which comprises structural units of the formula (I) ##STR00009##
wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 represent, independently of one
another, hydrogen or a C.sub.1-C.sub.4-alkyl, k is 0, 1, 2, 3 or 4,
B) from 0.02 to 0.5 part by weight (based on the entirety of
components A+B) of one or more polyacrylates comprising at least
one structural unit of the formula (III): ##STR00010## wherein
R.sup.5 represents hydrogen or a C.sub.1-C.sub.8 alkyl, R.sup.6
represents hydrogen or a C.sub.1-C.sub.4 alkyl, m is an integer
determined via the molecular weight.
2. The composition as claimed in claim 1, wherein the molar mass of
the (co)polycarbonate A) is from 20 000 gmol.sup.-1 to 300 000
gmol.sup.-1.
3. The composition as claimed in claim 1, wherein the composition
comprises from 99.9 to 99.7 parts by weight of component A), and
from 0.1 to 0.3 part by weight of component B) (based on the
entirety of components A+B).
4. The composition as claimed in claim 1, wherein the composition
further comprises from 50 to 5000 ppm by weight of additives, based
on the entirety of components A+B, and wherein the additives at
least one of UV absorbers, mold release auxiliaries, heat
stabilizers, and mixtures thereof.
5. The composition as claimed in claim 1, wherein structural units
of the formula (I) have the following structure (IX)
##STR00011##
6. The composition as claimed in claim 1, wherein the
(co)polycarbonate is a random (co)polycarbonate comprising the
following structural units (IX) and (X): ##STR00012## and wherein
the terminal groups have at least one of the following structures
(XI) and (XII): ##STR00013## wherein R.sup.9 and R.sup.10 are,
independently of one another, hydrogen or a
C.sub.1-C.sub.6-alkyl.
7. The composition as claimed in claim 6, wherein R.sup.9 is
tert-butyl or hydrogen and R.sup.10 is methyl, and the molar ratio
of the structures (IX) or (X) is from 2 mol % to 98 mol %, based on
the total number of moles of (IX) and (X), and the entirety of the
structures (IX) and (X) gives 100 mol %.
8. A process for producing the composition as claimed in claim 1,
comprising mixing at least components A and B, and at an elevated
temperature, compounding the mixture in the melt or, respectively,
extruding them in the melt.
9. A molding obtained from compositions as claimed in claim 1.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application is a national stage application (under 35 U.S.C.
.sctn.371) of PCT/EP2010/001714, filed Mar. 18, 2010, which claims
benefit of German application 10 2009 015 040.4, filed Mar. 26,
2009, both of which are incorporated herein by reference in their
entirety for all their useful purposes.
BACKGROUND
The present invention relates to (co)polycarbonate compositions and
molding compositions which feature improved optical properties,
good flowability, and high heat resistance.
(Co)polycarbonates are engineering thermoplastics. They are used in
many different applications in the electrical and electronic
sector, as housing material for lamps, and in applications which
demand not only particular thermal and mechanical properties but
also excellent optical properties, examples being hairdryers,
automobile sector applications, plastics covers, diffuser sheets,
and optical conductor elements, and also lamp covers, or
bezels.
Said applications practically always have an essential requirement
for good thermal and mechanical properties, such as Vicat point
(heat resistance) and glass transition temperature. Excellent
optical properties are at the same time extremely important. Heat
resistance is achieved by utilizing specific bisphenols. This
method cannot achieve a simultaneous improvement in optical
properties.
It is known that polyacrylates and (co)polycarbonates are not
compatible in blends. This is apparent in increased haze, extending
as far as opacity. There is also adverse effect on thermal and
mechanical properties.
It was therefore an object to develop aromatic (co)polycarbonates
with improved optical properties, without any change in core
properties, in particular mechanical and thermal properties.
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Surprisingly, it has been found that a composition comprising
(co)polycarbonate and polymers having specific acrylate structures
gives improved optical properties. This measure for achieving a
controlled increase in the level of optical properties, and
adjustment thereof, and dependency on the admixed polymer, was not
known hitherto.
The invention provides mixtures made of
A) from 99.98 to 99.5 parts by weight, preferably from 99.9 to 99.7
parts by weight, (based on the entirety of components A+B) of
high-molecular-weight, thermoplastic, aromatic (co)polycarbonate
with molar mass M (weight average) of at least 10 000 gmol.sup.-1,
preferably from 20 000 gmol.sup.-1 to 30 000 gmol.sup.-1, which
comprises structural units of the formula (I)
##STR00001##
in which R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are hydrogen, C.sub.1-C.sub.4-alkyl,
preferably methyl, k is 0, 1, 2, 3 or 4, preferably 2 or 3,
B) from 0.02 to 0.5 part by weight, preferably from 0.1 to 0.3 part
by weight, (based on the entirety of components A+B) of one or more
polyacrylates comprising at least one structural unit of the
general formulae (II) or (III):
##STR00002##
in which
R.sup.3 is C.sub.1-C.sub.8 alkyl, preferably methyl,
R.sup.4 is C1-C6 alkyl, preferably methyl
R.sup.5 is hydrogen, C.sub.1-C.sub.8 alkyl, preferably hydrogen and
methyl, and
R.sup.6 is hydrogen, C.sub.1-C.sub.4 alkyl, preferably methyl,
m and n are integers determined via the molecular weight and the
molar ratio of the structures (II) and (III) is from 0 mol % to 100
mol %, based on the total number of moles of (II) and (III), and
the entirety of the structures (II) and (III) gives 100 mol %,
where all of the parts-by-weight data in the present application
have been standardized so that the entirety of the parts by weight
of components A+B in the composition is 100.
The following can optionally be present: further additives, such as
UV absorbers, mold-release auxiliaries, or heat stabilizers, in
amounts which are respectively from 50 to 5000 ppm, based on the
entirety of components A+B.
Extrudants or injection moldings produced from the
(co)polycarbonate compositions and (co)polycarbonates of the
invention have significantly improved optical properties
(Yellowness Index) but at the same time have almost unaltered
mechanical, thermal, and rheological properties. This is an
important criterion for the optical, mechanical, and thermal
performance of the injection-molded or extruded component.
For the purposes of the present invention, thermoplastic, aromatic
(co)polycarbonates are either homopolycarbonates or
copolycarbonates composed of various diphenol units, where the term
(co)polycarbonate in the present application also subsumes
homopolycarbonates made of diphenol units of the formula (V).
Aromatic (co)polycarbonates suitable in the invention are known
from the literature or can be produced by processes known from the
literature (see by way of example Schnell, "Chemistry and Physics
of Polycarbonates", Interscience Publishers, 1964 and also DE-B 1
495 626, DE-A 2 232 877, DE-A 2 703 376, DE-A 2 714 544, DE-A 3 000
610, DE-A 3 832 396 for the production of aromatic
(co)polycarbonates).
Aromatic (co)polycarbonates are produced by way of example via
reaction of diphenols with carbonyl halides, preferably phosgene by
the interfacial process, optionally with use of chain terminators,
for example monophenols, and optionally with use of trifunctional
or more than trifunctional branching agents, for example triphenols
or tetraphenols. Another possible production route uses a
polymerization process in the melt via reaction of diphenols with,
for example, diphenyl carbonate.
Other than the diphenols of the formula (V)
##STR00003##
in which R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are hydrogen, C.sub.1-C.sub.4-alkyl,
preferably methyl, k is 0, 1, 2, 3 or 4, preferably 2 or 3,
dihydroxyaryl compounds suitable for producing the
(co)polycarbonates are those of the formula
(VI)
##STR00004##
where
A is a single bond, C.sub.1 to C.sub.5-alkylene, C.sub.2 to
C.sub.5-alkylidene, C.sub.5 to C.sub.6-cycloalkylidene, --O--,
--SO--, --CO--, --S--, --SO.sub.2--, C.sub.6 to C.sub.12-arylene,
onto which further aromatic rings optionally comprising heteroatoms
can have been fused, or a moiety of the formulae (VII) or
(VIII)
##STR00005##
B is respectively hydrogen, C.sub.1 to C.sub.12-alkyl, preferably
methyl, halogen, preferably chlorine and/or bromine,
q is respectively mutually independently 0, 1 or 2,
p is 1 or 0, and
R.sup.7 and R.sup.8 are individually selectable for each X', being
mutually independently hydrogen or C.sub.1 to C.sub.6-alkyl,
preferably hydrogen, methyl, or ethyl,
X.sup.1 is carbon, and
r is an integer from 4 to 7, preferably 4 or 5, with the proviso
that at at least one atom X.sup.1, R.sup.7 and R.sup.8 are
simultaneously alkyl.
It is preferable to use
1,1-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)-3,3,5-trimethylcyclohexane (bisphenol TMC)
as diphenol derived from formula (V) for producing the
(co)polycarbonates of the invention.
Examples of suitable diphenols of the formula (VI) for producing
the (co)polycarbonates to be used in the invention are
hydroquinone, resorcinol, bis(hydroxyphenyl)alkanes,
bis(hydroxyphenyl) sulfides, bis(hydroxyphenyl) ethers,
bis(hydroxyphenyl) ketones, bis(hydroxyphenyl) sulfones,
bis(hydroxyphenyl) sulfoxides,
.alpha.,.alpha.'bis(hydroxyphenyl)diisopropylbenzenes, and also the
(ring-)alkylated and ring-halogenated compounds derived from
these.
Preferred other diphenols are 4,4'-dihydroxybiphenyl,
2,2-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)-1-phenylpropane,
1,1-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)phenylethane,
2,2-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)propane,
2,2-bis(3-methyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)propane,
2,4-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)-2-methylbutane,
1,3-bis[2-(4-hydroxy-phenyl)2-propyl]benzene (bisphenol M),
2,2-bis(3-methyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)propane,
bis(3,5-dimethyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)methane,
2,2-bis(3,5-dimethyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)propane,
bis(3,5-dimethyl-4-hydroxyphenyl) sulfone,
2,4-bis(3,5-dimethyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)-2-methylbutane, 1,3-bis
[2-(3,5-dimethyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)-2-propyl]benzene.
Particularly preferred diphenols are
2,2-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)propane (BPA), and
2,2-bis(3-methyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)propane (dimethylBPA).
Particular preference is given to (co)polycarbonates made of
bisphenol A and bisphenol TMC.
The diphenols can be used individually or in the form of any
desired mixtures. The diphenols are known from the literature or
can be obtained by processes known from the literature.
These and other suitable diphenols are available commercially and
are described by way of example in "H. Schnell, Chemistry and
Physics of Polycarbonates, Interscience Publishers, New York 1964,
pp. 28 ff; pp. 102 ff", and in "D. G. Legrand, J. T. Bendier,
Handbook of Polycarbonate Science and Technology, Marcel Dekker New
York 2000, pp. 72 ff.".
Particular preference is given to random (co)polycarbonates
comprising the following structural units (IX) and (X):
##STR00006## in which the terminal groups have at least one of the
following structures (XI) and (XII):
##STR00007##
where
R.sup.9 and R.sup.10) are mutually independently hydrogen or
C.sub.1-C.sub.6-alkyl. The molar ratio of the structures (IX) or
(X) is from 0 mol % to 100 mol %, preferably from 1 mol % to 99 mol
%, particularly preferably from 2 mol % to 98 mol %, very
particularly preferably from 3 mol % to 97 mol %, based on the
total number of moles of (IX) and (X).
Very particular preference is given to random (co)polycarbonates in
which R.sup.10 is methyl.
An example of suitable chain terminators for producing the
thermoplastic, aromatic (co)polycarbonates is phenol,
p-tert-butylphenol, or cumylphenol.
The amount of chain terminators to be used is generally from 0.5
mol % to 10 mol %, based on the total number of moles of the
respective diphenols used.
The thermoplastic, aromatic (co)polycarbonates can have branching
in a known manner and specifically preferably via the incorporation
of from 0.05 to 2.0 mol %, based on the entirety of the diphenols
used, of trifunctional or more than trifunctional compounds, for
example compounds having three or more phenolic groups.
In one preferred embodiment of the invention, the weight-average
molar mass of the aromatic (co)polycarbonates (M.sub.w, measured by
way of example via GPC, ultracentrifuge, or scattered-light
measurement) is more than 10 000 gmol.sup.-1, particularly
preferably from 20 000 gmol.sup.-1 to 300 000 gmol.sup.-1.
The thermoplastic, aromatic (co)polycarbonates can be used alone or
in any desired mixture, preferably with further aromatic
polycarbonates.
The diphenols used can, and this is also true for all of the other
chemicals and auxiliaries added to the synthesis, have
contamination by contaminants deriving from the synthesis,
handling, and storage of each diphenol. However, it is desirable to
use raw materials of maximum purity.
The specific polyacrylates used can be polymethyl methacrylate or
heat-resistant polymethacrylimides, such as
poly(N-methylmethacrylimide) (PMMI, also termed Pleximid products;
Rohm GmbH & Co KG, Darmstadt) or a mixture or copolymer
thereof. These have high heat resistance together with very good
transmittance, very high strength and stiffness, and good
weathering resistance.
The composition can comprise further commercially available polymer
additives, such as flame retardants, flame retardants synergists,
antidrip agents (for example compounds from the following classes
of substance: fluorinated polyolefins, silicones, and aramid
fibers), lubricants and mold-release agents (such as
pentaerythritol tetrastearate), nucleating agents, stabilizers,
antistatic agents (such as carbon fibers, carbon nanotubes,
conductive carbon blacks, and also organic antistatic agents, such
as polyalkylene ethers, alkylsulfonates or polyamide-containing
polymers), and also dyes and pigments, in amounts which do not
impair the mechanical properties of the composition to the extent
that it no longer complies with the required property profile
(avoidance of brittle fracture -10.degree. C.).
Flame retardants used preferably comprise phosphorus-containing
flame retardants, in particular selected from the groups of the
mono- and oligomeric phosphoric and phosphonic esters, phosphonate
amines, and phosphazenes, but it is also possible here to use, as
flame retardants, mixtures of a plurality of components selected
from one or more of these groups. Phosphorus compounds not
specifically mentioned here, preferably halogen-free, can also be
used, alone or in any desired combination with other, preferably
halogen-free, phosphorus compounds. Examples of suitable phosphorus
compounds are: tributyl phosphate, triphenyl phosphate, tricresyl
phosphate, diphenyl cresyl phosphate, diphenyl octyl phosphate,
diphenyl 2-ethyl cresyl phosphate, tri-(isopropylphenyl) phosphate,
resorcinol-bridged di- or oligophosphate, and bisphenol-A-bridged
di- or oligophosphate. Particular preference is given to the use of
oligomeric phosphoric esters which derive from bisphenol A.
Phosphorus compounds suitable as flame retardants are known (cf.
e.g. EP-A 0 363 608, EP-A 0 640 655) or can be produced analogously
by known methods (e.g. Ullmanns Enzyklopadie der technischen Chemie
[Ullmann's encyclopedia of Industrial Chemistry], vol. 18, pp. 301
ff. 1979; Houben-Weyl, Methoden der organischen Chemie [Methods of
Organic Chemistry], vol. 12/1, p. 43; Beilstein vol. 6, p.
177).
The addition of additives serves to prolong the service lifetime or
to increase color fastness (stabilizers), to simplify processing
(e.g. mold-release agents, flow aids, antistatic agents), or to
adjust the properties of the polymer appropriately for particular
types of stress (impact modifiers, such as rubbers; flame
retardants, colorants, glass fibers).
Said additives can be added individually or in any desired mixtures
or in a plurality of different mixtures to the polymer melt, and
specifically directly during the isolation of the polymer or else
after melting of granulated material in what is known as a
compounding step. The additives or mixtures of these here can be
added in the form of solid, i.e. in the form of powder, or in the
form of melt to the polymer melt. Another type of metering uses
masterbatches or mixtures of masterbatches of the additives or
additive mixtures.
Suitable additives are described by way of example in "Additives
for Plastics Handbook, John Murphy, Elsevier, Oxford 1999", or in
"Plastics Additives Handbook, Hans Zweifel, Hanser, Munich, 2001",
or in WO 99/55772, pp. 15-25.
Preferred heat stabilizers are tris(2,4-di-tert-butylphenyl)
phosphite (Irgafos 168), tetrakis(2,4-di-tert-butylphenyl)
[1,1-biphenyl]-4,4'-diylbisphosphonite, trisoctyl phosphate,
octadecyl 3-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)propionate (Irganox
1076), bis(2,4-dicumylphenyl) pentaerythritol diphosphite
(Doverphos S-9228-PC), bis(2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-methylphenyl)
pentaerythritol diphosphite (ADK STAB PEP-36), or
triphenylphosphine. They are used alone or in a mixture (e.g.
Irganox B900 or Doverphos S-9228-PC with Irganox B900 or,
respectively, Irganox 1076).
Preferred suitable mold-release agents are pentaerythritol
tetrastearate, glycerol monostearate, stearyl stearate, or
propanediol mono- or distearate. They are used alone or in a
mixture.
Preferred suitable UV stabilizers are
2-(2'-hydroxyphenyl)benzotriazoles, 2-hydroxybenzophenones, esters
of substituted and unsubstituted benzoic acids, acrylates,
sterically hindered amines, oxamides,
2-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-1,3,5-triazines, and particular preference is
given to substituted benztriazoles, such as Tinuvin 360, Tinuvin
350, Tinuvin 234, Tinuvin 329 or UV CGX 006 (Ciba).
Colorants can also be added, examples being organic dyes or
pigments, or inorganic pigments or IR absorbers, individually, in a
mixture, or else in combination with stabilizers, with (hollow)
glass beads, or with inorganic fillers; other examples are organic
or inorganic scattering pigments.
The thermoplastic molding compositions of the invention are
produced by mixing the respective constituents in a known manner
and, at temperatures of from 200.degree. C. to 340.degree. C.,
preferably from 240.degree. C. to 300.degree. C., and in
conventional assemblies, such as internal kneaders, extruders, and
twin-screw systems, compounding them in the melt and extruding them
in the melt.
The mixing of the individual constituents can take place in a known
manner either in succession or else simultaneously, and
specifically either at about 20.degree. C. (room temperature) or at
a higher temperature.
The invention further provides the use of polyacrylates comprising
at least one structural unit of the general formulae (II) or (III)
in a process for producing (co)polycarbonates comprising at least
one diphenol unit of the formula (I),
##STR00008## in which R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are hydrogen,
C.sub.1-C.sub.4-alkyl, k is 0, 1, 2, 3 or 4, where the
polyacrylate(s) is/are admixed with the (co)polycarbonate.
The invention also provides processes for producing the molding
compositions, and the use of the molding compositions for producing
moldings.
The molding compositions of the invention can be used for producing
moldings of any type. These can be produced, for example, via
injection molding, extrusion, and blow molding processes. Another
type of processing is the production of moldings via thermoforming
from previously produced sheets or foils.
The (co)polycarbonate compositions and (co)polycarbonates of the
invention can be processed conventionally in conventional
machinery, for example in extruders or injection molding machines,
to give any desired moldings, or to give foils and foil laminates,
or sheets, or bottles.
The resultant (co)polycarbonates can be used to produce extrudants
(sheets, foils, and laminates of these; e.g. for card applications
and pipes) and moldings (bottles), in particular those for use in
the transparent sector, particularly in the sector of optical
applications, e.g. sheets, sandwich panels, glazing, diffuser
panels, or protective screens, lamp covers, plastics cover panels,
optical conductor elements, or optical data storage systems, such
as audio CD, CD-R(W), DVD, DVD-R(W), minidisks, in the various
embodiments of these which are readable-only or else are
(re)writable, and also data carriers. They can also be used for
producing articles for the electrical and electronics sector and
the IT sector.
The (co)polycarbonate compositions are in particular used for
producing compounded materials and for producing blends and
components in which optical, thermal, and mechanical properties are
utilized, examples being housings, articles in the electrical and
electronics sector, e.g. plugs, switches, boards, lamp holders,
lamp covers, in the automobile sector, e.g. lamp holders and lamp
covers, and glazing, in the medical sector, e.g. dialyzers,
connectors, valves, packaging, e.g. bottles, containers, lenses,
collimators, light-emitting diodes, or diffuser sheets for displays
and other applications.
The extrudates and moldings made of the polymers of the invention
are likewise provided by the present application.
Other possible applications of the (co)polycarbonate molding
compositions of the invention are: safety/security panels which are
known to be required in many sectors of buildings, of vehicles, and
of aircraft, and also in the form of protective screens on helmets,
production of extruded or solution-derived foils for displays or
electric motors, and also ski foils, production of blown products,
such as water bottles (see by way of example U.S. Pat. No.
2,964,794), production of translucent sheets, in particular of
panels having cavities, for example for the protective covering of
buildings, such as railroad stations, greenhouses, and lighting
systems, for producing traffic-signal housings or traffic signs,
for producing foams (see by way of example DE-B 1 031 507), for
producing filaments and wires (see by way of example DE-B 1 137 167
and DE-A 1 785 137), in the form of translucent plastics with glass
fiber content for lighting purposes (see by way of example DE-A 1
554 020), and for producing small precision-engineered injection
molded parts, such as lens holders. (Co)polycarbonates used here
have glass fiber content and also optionally comprise about 1 to
10% by weight of MoS.sub.2, based on total weight. Examples of
other optical applications are optical storage systems (CD, DVD),
protective goggles or lenses for photographic and film cameras (see
by way of example DE-A 2 701 173), light transmitters, in
particular in the form of optical conductor cables (see by way of
example EP-A1 0 089 801) in the form of electrical insulation
materials for electrical conductors, and for plug housings, and
also plug connectors, in the form of carrier material for organic
photoconductors, for producing lamps, e.g. headlamps, or in the
form of light-diffuser panels or lamp covers, or for medical
applications, examples being oxygenators and dialyzers, or for
food-and-drink applications, e.g. bottles, tableware, and chocolate
molds, or for applications in the automobile sector where contact
with fuels and lubricants can occur, or for sports items, e.g.
slalom poles, or for household items, e.g. kitchen sink units and
mailbox housings, or for housings, examples being electrical
distribution cabinets, electrical equipment, household equipment,
components of household items, of electrical devices, and of
electronic devices, or for producing motorcycle helmets and
protective helmets, or for automobile items, for example glazing,
dashboards, bodywork parts, and shock absorbers. The examples below
serve for further explanation of the invention.
EXAMPLES
The following raw materials were used for producing the compounded
materials: A 2000 nat.: copolycarbonate made of bisphenol TMC and
BPA from Bayer MaterialScience AG, Leverkusen, with MVR 5.3
cm.sup.3/10 min (330.degree. C., 2.16 kg) and with Vicat point
205.degree. C. Pleximid 8813: poly(N-methacrylimide) from Rohm GmbH
& Co KG, Darmstadt, with MVR 20 cm.sup.3/10 min (260.degree.
C., 10 kg) and Vicat point 130.degree. C. Pleximid 8817:
poly(N-methacrylimide) from Rohm GmbH & Co KG, Darmstadt, with
MVR 1 cm.sup.3/10 min (260.degree. C., 10 kg) and Vicat point
170.degree. C.
A multiscrew extruder is used to produce various test mixtures of
the two Pleximid grades with Apec 2000 as main copolycarbonate (see
table 1).
The resultant blends were used for injection molding of color
sample plaques (thickness 4 mm), and these were subjected to
optical characterization in terms of transmittance, haze, and YI
(Yellowness Index). For control purposes, the mechanical and
thermal properties of the blends are subjected to the conventional
tests, e.g. Vicat point, HDT, tensile test, modulus of elasticity,
and impact resistance, using Apec 2000 without additives. Table 1
below compares the collation of all of the properties with the
comparative example (specimen without additives).
TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 1* 2 3 4 5* 6 7 8 9* A. 2000 nat % 100 99.9
99.75 99.5 98 99.9 99.75 99.5 98 Pleximid 8813 % -- 0.1 0.25 0.5
2.0 -- -- -- -- Pleximid 8817 % -- -- -- -- -- 0.1 0.25 0.5 2.0
Rheology Tg .degree. C. 205.8 206.0 206.9 205.0 205.4 206.4 204.5
206.1 206.3 MVR 330.degree. C./2.16 kg ml/10 min 5.3 5.6 5.7 5.8
7.7 5.7 5.9 6 7.2 IMVR20' 330.degree. C./2.16 kg ml/10 min 5.4 6
5.8 7 8.8 5.6 6 6.9 8.1 Delta MVR/IMVR20' 0.1 0.4 0.1 1.2 1.1 -0.1
0.1 0.9 0.9 Vicat VST B 120 .degree. C. 204.9 204.2 204.0 203.3
202.1 204.0 204.1 203.8 203.5 HDT A .degree. C. 176.9 175.7 176.0
175.2 173.9 175.8 176.0 175.8 175.5 HDT B .degree. C. 194.9 194.3
194.2 193.4 192.4 194.3 194.3 194.2 193.4 Tensile test Yield stress
N/mm.sup.2 75 75 75 76 76 75 75 75 76 Tensile strain at yield % 6.9
6.8 6.8 6.7 6.7 6.7 6.7 6.7 6.7 Ultimate tensile strength
N/mm.sup.2 65 62 61 67 67 62 66 68 68 Tensile strain at break % 94
92 91 96 99 91 95 97 100 Modulus of elasticity N/mm.sup.2 2513 2520
2518 2508 2568 2531 2560 2541 2- 537 ISO 180/4A + Steep incline RT
kJ/m.sup.2 6 s 7 s 7 s 7 s 6 s 7 s 7 s 7 s 6 s Appearance of 4 mm
CSP clear clear clear clear slight clear clear clear slight transp.
transp. transp. transp. haze transp. transp. transp. haze Optical
data Transmittance 88.8 89.0 89.1 88.6 -- 89.1 88.8 88.1 -- Haze
0.4 0.4 0.3 0.5 -- 0.4 0.5 0.7 -- Y.I. 6.4 6.0 6.1 6.8 -- 5.9 6.8
8.0 -- *Comparative example
The favorable effect of the Pleximid products on the optical
properties of the compounded materials is clearly seen, while
mechanical, thermal, and rheological properties are practically
unaltered, up to 0.25% by weight of Pleximid in the Apec. At
concentration above 0.25% by weight, in contrast, optical
properties become poorer again, and this is apparent from a
reduction in transmittance and an increase in haze and YI. The
person skilled in the art would not have expected that Pleximid
products can give favorable optical properties within a very
particular concentration range in Apec.
* * * * *